Vigor gets clearance to buy Alaska Ship & Drydock

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Vigor Industrial has been cleared by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to buy Alaska Ship & Drydock.

Portland-based Vigor announced its intention to acquire the Ketchikan, Ala.-based ship repair provider on Feb. 7 but had to wait for approval from Alaska to proceed. It received the OK on Wednesday, when the AIDEA voted unanimously to transfer leases to what is now Vigor Alaska Ship & Drydock.

"The transfer of ownership [of the shipyard operating company] will enhance the opportunities at Ketchikan Shipyard to bid on and win Alaskan-based business given the experience, supporting facilities and greater financial capacity of a larger company," said AIDEA Executive Director Ted Leonard in a statement.

Vigor owns the 60-acre Swan Island shipyard in Portland, the Harbor Island yard in Seattle as well as operations in Tacoma, Everett, Bremerton and Port Angeles. It acquired Todd Pacific Shipyards for $130 million in February 2011.

The addition of Alaska Ship & Drydock will bring Vigor employment to approximately 2,000 workers in the Pacific Northwest.